“Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength, beauty and happiness.” Isn’t this a beautiful way to think about Easter? Pascha in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic, or Resurrection Sunday creates a time to see our world through not only new eyes, but God’s eyes.
Easter has the same meaning for all Catholics, and is celebrated in different ways around the world. Each nation has their own traditions, and some are more unique than others. Most cultures have an Easter Feast. Bread is the mainstay, as Jesus called himself The Bread of Life. Eggs – the symbol of life, rebirth, and fertility, also are featured in a number of ways. Did you know at one time eggs were forbidden to eat during Holy Week? Thus, they were saved until Easter and then decorated and given to the children. Pysanky are the beautiful painted eggs of Ukraine and Lithuania. In Germany, they have Osterbaum or Easter trees. Italian Easter bread is braided with three strands representing the Holy Trinity and shaped like a crown of thorns with colored eggs baked into the bread. Irish soda bread may be baked on Good Friday with a cross cut into the bread before baking.
We have a tradition here at St Mark that was started in the Slovak countries, where Easter baskets are brought to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. No matter what our traditions are, Easter reminds us of God’s incredible love and grace and the opportunity for redemption and a fresh start.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter. Alleluia! Mary Jo